CreDiT to the Rescue: CRISPR and Digital Signal Processing for On-Site Nucleic Acid Detection

Addressing the global disparity in cancer care necessitates the development of rapid and affordable nucleic acid (NA) testing technologies. This need is particularly critical for cervical cancer, where molecular detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) has emerged as an accurate screening method. The capability of point-of-care, rapid HPV detection would enable a "screen and treat" strategy, allowing for a single-visit intervention with cervical ablative therapy within the critical window for effective treatment. 

A new study by CSB researchers introduces CreDiT (CRISPR Enhanced Digital Testing) for on-site NA detection. This innovative system combines (i) a Cas reaction that enables concurrent target NA amplification and detection and (ii) efficient signal processing inspired by digital radio communication. This unique integration offers several advantages: i) CreDiT assays are fast (<20 min), isothermal, and conveniently performed in a single tube; ii) signal detection is resilient against extraneous noise and interference, enhancing assay reliability and precision; and iii) the detection system is compact for field use without requiring complex optics.

Leveraging these advantages, the researchers designed a portable CreDiT system to detect high-risk HPV genes (HPV16, HPV18, HPV45, HPV31, HPV33, HPV58) and oncoprotein mRNAs (E6, E7, p16INK4a). The system successfully classified HPV types in clinical cervical brushing and anal swab samples, demonstrating its versatility and potential for HPV-related clinical assessments. The investigators plan to deploy the technology for field testing, supported by NIH through the Affordable Cancer Technology (ACT) program. This work has been published in Nature Communications